What exactly is respect? It is the sense of worth or personal value that you accord to someone. It is an important element in our everyday lives. As Africans and Nigerians, we are expected to display respect for our parents and elders. Ordinarily, it’s also good to respect one’s self. As Christians, regardless of how we perceive other people, we are all God’s creations, and it is God’s will for us to show respect to everyone. What does the Bible say about Respect? BETTY AMUKPO presents the Biblical verses on Respect put forward by some children.
‘We, children should learn to respect elders’
According to the scripture Ephesians 6:2 : “It says respect your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise added, “so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land”. So we, children should learn to respect our parents and elders.
‘Honour your father and mother’
Respect is one of the key concepts in the Bible which is written widely of because for us to Honour God, we must respect Him and show respect for our parents. That is why I can’t joke with the Bible verse that says in the book of Exodus 20:12: “Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
‘Obey your leaders and follow their orders’
The bible says respect is the act of being honest, truthful, straight forward and obedient. It’s also the act of comporting ourselves and honouring people. Exodus Chapter 20 verse 2, says: “Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land that I am giving you.” Hebrews chapter 3 verse 17, says: “Obey your leaders and follow their orders.”
‘Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents’
Firstly what is respect? Respect is the process of honouring someone by exhibiting care, concern and consideration for their need or feeling. It says in Ephesians chapter 6 verse 1-3, “Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents for this is the right thing to do. “Respect your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise added: so that all may go well with you and you may live a long life in the land……”
‘Children obey your parents so that all may go well with you’
The Bible says in the Book of Ephesians 6 verse 2: “Children it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do; respect your father and mother is the first commandment that has a promise, added so that all may go well with you and you may live a long time in the land. Sirach 3:1 -16, IST Sam 12: 12, Luke 12: 5, Prov17:5, Exodus 20:12 and Matt 7:12.
‘Respect your father and your mother, as I, the LORD your GOD, command you’
Respect also called esteem is a positive feeling or action showed towards someone or something in high esteem or regard. Deuteronomy 5:16 says that “respect your father and your mother, as I, the LORD, your GOD, command you, so that all may go well with you.
‘In humility, value others above yourselves’
The word respect is a translation of the Greek word time date, meaning “honour or value.” Roman 13:1-7 talks about respecting people in authority. We all know that respect and honour are important to God because of the way they are talked about in the Bible. Matthew 7:12 talks about what we need to do for others, what we would have them do to us, for this sums up the law and the prophets. Romans 12:10 talks about us being devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above your selves. Philippians 2:3 do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves. In all, respect is reciprocal and as children of God we need to respect one another.
‘Respect means to love’
Respect means to love, the Bible says in the book of Ephesians 6 verses 1 to 3, children respect your parents in the Lord for this is right, that it may go well with you and you may live long in the land. Respect can also be found in the book of 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 12, John 13 verses 34 to 35.
‘Show proper respect to everyone’
The Apostle Peter summarizes the Bible’s teaching on respect in his first Epistle, “Show proper respect to everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king. We must be conscious that God has created people in his own image. Romans 12 verse 10 talks about love and authority. 1 Peter 2 verse 17 talks about honour, respect and love. Romans 13:7 talks about duties and responsibilities. Hebrews 13:7 talks about being considerate. In conclusion, we should respect one another and love ourselves and always respect God.
‘A wise son hears his father’s instructions’
The Bible teaches us to respect one another Show proper respect to everyone: (Proverbs 13:1) “A wise son hears his father’s instructions but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
